SYMPHONE OF LIGHTS——HK

'Symphony of Lights' has been announced by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's "Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show". 44 participating buildings located on either side of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour make up 'Symphony of Lights' as they explode nightly into a dazzling display of visual effect firepower. The 14 minute performance aims to highlight the unity of architecture within Hong Kong while educating the audience on Hong Kong's history and cultural diversity.

The kaleidoscope of effects incorporated into 'Symphony of Lights' include 16,594 dynamic lighting fixtures, Stella Ray YAGS producing thousands of high powered laser beams, world class pyrotechnics and a sound simulcast which is broadcast from popular viewing locations including ferries travelling to and from the city. The simulcast can also be dialled into via mobile phone. The nightly show is programmed and coordinated via the Internet through Laservision's Digital Data ~ Pump II show control systems which have been installed in all of the major buildings.

Defining the most suitable buildings in a city as overwhelming as Hong Kong is a consuming process. The Laservision team individually examined each building from a variety of angles and popular viewing locations. The most prominent of these viewing locations being the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade which is located directly opposite the city. A priority list of highly visible structures that presented well was then compiled. This list was then fleshed out into studies on the form, texture and architectural merit of each of the structures.

The fireworks incorporated into 'Symphony of Lights' are viewed from a greater distance than would be the case at other venues, diminishing the scale of the effects as viewed from any of the typical viewing positions, such as Tsim Sha Tsui. To combat this problem, the number of buildings incorporating fireworks has been increased.

Lasers and searchlights have been incorporated into 'Symphony of Lights' to increase the use of airborne special effects. The high powered 50 watt Stella ~ Ray lasers enable animated beams of light to span across the harbour, connecting the audience on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.

Before the application of the Harbour Lighting Plan there were many buildings competing with each other in an uncoordinated fashion that ultimately led to overwhelming cases of light pollution. 'Symphony of Lights’ has solved much of the light pollution and represents a tourist attraction that will astound both young and old.